Personal Finance

About 1.8 million Americans were unemployed for at least 27 weeks in July, accounting for more than one-quarter of all unemployed workers. A slower-hiring labor market could make job loss increasingly costly for household savings, debt, credit and long-term earnings.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh used his first Jackson Hole keynote to warn that inflation remains above target while offering little guidance on when interest rates could fall. Here’s what his “quieter Fed” approach could mean for mortgages, HELOCs, credit cards, and household borrowing costs.

Credit card delinquency just hit its highest level since the Great Recession — nearly 13% of balances are seriously past due. Here's what's driving it and what it means for your own debt.

Black unemployment in Washington, D.C. has reached 10.1%, concerns are growing around the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, TreasuryDirect users face an October authentication deadline, and AI is changing the college ROI conversation. Here’s what the August 17 financial headlines could mean for households.

Roth conversions can affect more than today's income-tax bill. Additional IRA withdrawals used to pay conversion taxes can increase taxable Social Security income and potentially trigger higher Medicare IRMAA premiums two years later.

ACA Marketplace enrollment has fallen to about 19.2 million people as average premium payments rise 58% and deductibles climb 37%. Here's how higher health insurance costs are affecting household budgets and coverage decisions.

The national average annual price of childcare reached $13,184 in 2025, while care for two children costs more than median rent in every state with available data. Here's how childcare expenses are affecting work, savings, debt and other financial decisions for families.

July job losses were concentrated in local government education, leisure and hospitality, retail, and financial services. At the same time, high housing costs are becoming a recruiting problem for employers, leading some school districts to develop affordable housing for teachers.

Mortgage rates remain close to 7% while home prices stay elevated, creating a difficult affordability equation for buyers. Here’s how higher rates affect monthly payments, housing inventory and the true cost of homeownership.

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July as earlier payroll estimates were revised sharply lower, changing expectations for the Federal Reserve’s September rate decision. Here’s what weaker hiring could mean for interest rates, mortgages and household finances.

A Michigan Supreme Court ruling narrowed a longstanding exemption in the state's Consumer Protection Act, potentially giving consumers greater ability to challenge unfair or deceptive business practices. Here's what changed and why it matters.

The Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration will end after 2026, potentially increasing standalone prescription drug plan premiums for millions of beneficiaries. Learn what is changing, when final 2027 prices will be released, and how to compare Medicare drug plans during Open Enrollment.

The Federal Reserve chose to leave interest rates unchanged this week, but that doesn't necessarily mean borrowing is becoming more affordable.

More than 500 incoming Howard University students lost their enrollment after tuition payment deadlines were missed, highlighting broader college affordability challenges.

The Ninth Circuit rejected the Department of Education's attempt to delay relief under the Sweet v. McMahon settlement, clearing the way for continued student loan forgiveness.

Buying a home isn't getting much easier.

The CFPB will no longer publish consumer complaint narratives publicly. Here’s what changed, what didn’t, and how to protect your own paper trail.